Author Topic: Blu-ray News (Read 161489 times)

pchin · « **Reply #150 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 09:55 AM »

Phew...finally the great news is here na!!

HD fans can rejoice now!

john5479 · « **Reply #151 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 11:50 AM »

Great news paul, looks like hd fans will have thinner pockets this fall

pchin · « **Reply #152 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 12:06 PM »

Quote from: Munskie on Jul 18, 2007 at 09:50 AM

Dubbed 'Harry Potter Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift Set,'

However, the set is expected to come in collectible packaging including exclusive Harry Potter memorabilia.

True John...better save up now!

Gosh...my curiousity is killing me na...how would the packaging looks like? What memorabilia will be included? The snitch? The broom? The wizard stick? Ooh....pls give me some answers...!!

Munskie · « **Reply #153 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 12:30 PM »

It has a MSRP of $150......with the usual Amazon discount....that may come up around $100-110.......not bad for a five title boxset actually, especially if it does come with souvenir items.

kings5504 · « **Reply #154 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 12:30 PM »

And my wallet continues to shed more tears...

Munskie · « **Reply #155 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 12:32 PM »

Quote from: kings5504 on Jul 18, 2007 at 12:30 PM

And my wallet continues to shed more tears...

but tears of joy for our eyes and ears.....

kings5504 · « **Reply #156 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 01:38 PM »

^

Touché!

NeilNo · « **Reply #157 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 08:37 PM »

Good things come for those who wait indeed!

5 disk Harry Potter collection and 5 Disc Blade Runner.

NeilNo · « **Reply #158 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 08:39 PM »

Warner to Raise Next-Gen Bar with Five-Disc 'Blade Runner'

Still no release date, but more details have surfaced for Warner Home Video's highly-anticipated next-gen versions of 'Blade Runner,' which now promise to set a new capacity benchmark for a single-title release.

Music to the ears of sci-fi fans everywhere, Warner first announced that 'Blade Runner' would be getting the deluxe high-def treatment late last year. Only a few details have trickled out since, most notable among them that the studio is targeting an October time frame for a cross-platform release on Blu-ray, HD DVD and standard-def DVD.

Boasting a total of (count 'em, five!) discs, the next-gen release of 'Blade Runner' promises to set a new record in terms of number of discs for a single-title high-def release.

What exactly all those discs will house has yet to be revealed, but Warner has confirmed that 'Blade Runner' will be presented in multiple versions, including a recut 'Essential 25th Anniversary Edition' featuring both newly-shot and never-before-seen restored footage.

NeilNo · « **Reply #159 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 10:49 PM »

Sony Goes to the 'Underworld' on Blu-ray this September

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced it will bring the Kate Beckinsale vampire opus 'Underworld' to Blu-ray in time for Halloween.

The hit action-horror thriller will sink its fangs into Blu-ray on September 25, in an unrated version boasting 12 minutes of footage to scary for the theaters.
No other supplemental details are yet known for 'Underworld,' but the disc is set to include a 1080p/AVC MPEG-transfer and uncompressed PCM 5.1 surround audio.

Sony has set a $28.95 list price for the release.

The studio has already released the film's sequel, 'Underworld: Evolution', earlier this year on Blu-ray.

pchin · « **Reply #160 on:** Jul 18, 2007 at 11:36 PM »

Quote from: NeilNo on Jul 18, 2007 at 08:39 PM

Warner to Raise Next-Gen Bar with Five-Disc 'Blade Runner'

I've been holding my breath for so many years (I still haven't got the SD DVD yet)....finally there's something to look forward...hopefully this is the ultimate edition

NeilNo · « **Reply #161 on:** Jul 19, 2007 at 03:38 AM »

Sony Unwraps 'Memoirs of a Geisha' on Blu-ray

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced it will bring the Oscar-winning spectacle 'Memoirs of a Geisha' to Blu-ray this September.

The lavish period epic, which took home four technical Academy Awards, will hit Blu-ray on September 25.

In addition to 1080p video and uncompressed PCM 5.1 audio, the supplemental package will be a slim one, with only a single production audio commentary among the bonus features.

Sony has set a $28.95 list price for the Blu-ray.

pchin · « **Reply #162 on:** Jul 19, 2007 at 07:29 AM »

'Departed,' 'Casino Royale' Nab Home Entertainment Award Honors

'The Departed' and 'Casino Royale' were the big high-def winners at this year's Entertainment Merchants Association's Home Entertainment Awards, announced last night at the Home Media Expo in Las Vegas.

'The Departed' scored with two awards, including HD DVD Title of the Year as well as DVD Rental Title of the Year, while 'Casino Royale' took home Blu-ray Title of the Year honors.

Earning the Hall of Fame Award was Warner's 'Casablanca,' currently available on both HD DVD and standard-def DVD.

This year marked the first to see the the Entertainment Merchants Association hand out awards for high-def formats. Eligible titles were released between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007. An EMA committee picked categories and nominees, and the winners were determined by EMA retail and distributor members.

Source

complete list of award winners.

Mouldingo · « **Reply #163 on:** Jul 19, 2007 at 05:31 PM »

'Cars' Drives to Blu-ray this November

Walt Disney Home Entertainment is reportedly planning to bring the Pixar blockbuster 'Cars' to Blu-ray this November in a feature-loaded special edition.

Hollywood in Hi-Def has the early details, quoting a Disney exec as saying the studio plans to debut the first-ever Pixar release on high-def November 6.

The Blu-ray version is expected to include all of the same supplements as the standard-def DVD release (which hit stores last fall), plus two new extras, exclusive to the Blu-ray edition. In addition to a new deleted scene, "Traffic," the 'Cars' Blu-ray is also set to feature a BD-Java enhanced "Car Finder," which will allow users to search for the more than 200 different cars featured in the movie, and even "race the clock" to find a specific car in a frozen frame of film.

The 'Cars' Blu-ray was originally expected to debut this past June, but the studio eventually delayed those plans, citing additional involvement from Pixar.

Disney has not officially confirmed the November 6 street date for 'Cars,' but as they have already announced, the studio does plan to offer demos of the 'Cars' Blu-ray and its bonus features during their eighteen-city road show that begins in August. So the signs definitely look good that 'Cars' will finally be revving up on Blu-ray this holiday season.

We've updated our listing for 'Cars' in our Blu-ray Release Schedule, now placing the title under November 6. We'll certainly keep you posted as soon as Disney officially announces the title. Stay tuned!

Source

Mouldingo · « **Reply #164 on:** Jul 19, 2007 at 05:45 PM »

Anime Title 'Tekkonkinkreet' Headed to Blu-ray This Fall

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced it will bring its first anime title to Blu-ray this September, with the debut of 'Tekkonkinkreet.'

Based on Taiyo Matsumoto's serial manga, the film is currently enjoying a limited theatrical run in New York in Los Angeles, but it will make its high-def debut on September 25.

Specs include 1080p video and an uncompressed PCM 5.1 surround track in the film's native Japanese (an English Dolby Digital 5.1 dub is also provided).

Among the extras are an audio commentary with the filmmakers, a making-of featurette and an interview with the film's director, Michael Arias.

Sony has set a $28.95 list price for the release.

Source

skylynx888 · « **Reply #165 on:** Jul 20, 2007 at 09:45 AM »

HDScape gives up HD DVD exclusivity, moves to Blu-ray

Fairfield (NJ) - Another sign that HD DVD is losing ground, the once exclusive HD DVD company The DVD Acquisition and Development Group has announced it's moving to Blu-ray.

The low-profile DVD group is known for its series of HDScape movies on HD DVD. These are titles that act as high definition TV screensavers, showing scenes from the arctic, jungle, and fish tanks.

As a unique hi-def exclusive set of titles, it was a selling point for HD DVD. "Now is the ideal time to bring our library to the Blu-ray community, so that they can experience just how beautiful high definition artwork can be," said group president David Goodman.

The entire HDScape library will come out for Blu-ray on October 30. The HDScape Sampler Disc will be priced at around $7, with all other titles for around $30.

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/32976/118/

pchin · « **Reply #166 on:** Jul 20, 2007 at 04:52 PM »

'Heroes' HD DVD Previewed at Home Media Expo

Although it was just a teaser of what's promised to come later this month at Comic-Con, attendees at the Home Media Expo yesterday were treated to the very first peek at the 'Heroes: Season One' HD DVD.

Universal has been unusually coy regarding HD DVD exclusives planned for the title (due in stores Aug 28), delaying release of complete disc details until a special session at Comic-Con in late July, so you can imagine the surprise of attendees at the Home Media Expo when Microsoft's HD DVD evangelist Kevin Collins pulled out a check disc for the highly anticipated title and previewed about five minutes worth of content.

According to a report by Gord Lacey at TVShowsOnDVD.com, Collins showed a few scenes from the show, and then demo'd several of the disc's special features.

Among the previewed supplements: an interactive "Character Connections" screen, which provides a visual guide to the interconnections of the various characters on the show; the first of two "U-Control" features that allow viewers to take a closer look at Isaac's paintings (in scenes where they're included); and a second "U-Control" feature that displays the show's signature hidden helix when it appears in a given scene.

The surprise reveal came during one of several special sessions held this year for a delegation of DVD and high-def enthusiasts from a number of web sites, including the Home Theater Forum, The Digital Bits and TVShowsOnDVD.com.

Source

pchin · « **Reply #167 on:** Jul 20, 2007 at 04:56 PM »

Universal Pledges Web-Enabled Features on All New HD DVD Titles

Committing to target "the MySpace generation," Universal VP Ken Graffeo announced Wednesday that the studio plans to include web-enabled features in all of its new releases on HD DVD, starting with 'Heroes: Season One' on August 28.

The move appears to be intended to emphasize a technical advantage of HD DVD over rival format Blu-ray, which has yet to roll out any discs with features that utilize internet connectivity.

Pointing out that Blu-ray players "don’t have the consistency in their machines to be able to handle this," Graffeo's remarks came as attendees at the Home Media Expo got the very first peek at scenes and features from the highly anticipated 'Heroes' HD DVD release.

Although execs at the show remained tight-lipped about exactly what type of web-connected features the 'Heroes' HD DVD will include, Universal's Graffeo likened them to those of the massive social network MySpace. "We are developing that same community," explained Graffeo. "With 'Heroes,' producer Tim Kring is very involved in letting HD DVD users exclusively participate in the Heroes community."

Expect more complete details about the 'Heroes' HD DVD release later this month from Comic-Con, where NBC-Universal is planning a session with the show's cast and crew.

Source

pchin · « **Reply #168 on:** Jul 20, 2007 at 04:59 PM »

Warner Wrangles a Trio of Western Classics for Blu-ray, HD DVD this Fall

It's going to be a showdown at the high-def corral this September, when Warner Home Video saddles up a trio of western classics including 'Wild Bunch,' 'Wyatt Earp' and 'Gods and Generals.

Stampeding to stores on September 25, Warner will debut all three titles simultaneously on both Blu-ray and HD DVD.

The studio has not yet revealed any specs for the titles, though if past precedent is anything to go by, we can expect the same supplemental features as their standard-def DVD counterparts.

Note also that Warner has not yet specified whether both 'The Wild Bunch' and 'Wyatt Earp' will be the original theatrical cuts, or the extended versions the studio subsequently released on video. We'll keep you posted.

List price will go for a suggested $28.95 a pop.

Source

pchin · « **Reply #169 on:** Jul 22, 2007 at 11:20 AM »

'Gothika' to Cast a Spell on Blu-ray, HD DVD This September

Warner Home Video has announced that it will bring the Halle Berry horror-thriller 'Gothika' to HD DVD and Blu-ray disc this September.

One of Berry's first roles after her Best Actress Oscar win for 'Monster's Ball,' 'Gothika' scared up nearly $50 million at the domestic box office back in 2004, and later turned into a sizable hit on video.

Warner will debut the shocker on Blu-ray and HD DVD on September 25, in an extensive special edition that mirrors the two-disc standard-def DVD version.

In addition to 1080p video and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio, both next-gen versions will include audio commentary, multiple making-of featurettes, a music video and the theatrical trailer.

Source

dts-HD 3D · « **Reply #170 on:** Jul 25, 2007 at 12:39 AM »

'300' HD DVD to Include First Web-Enabled Transaction Opportunities

In another high-def first, Warner says it plans to utilize web-enabled features on its upcoming HD DVD edition of '300' to sell film-themed ringtones and cellphone wallpaper to the movie's next-gen fans.

As we've previously reported, Warner plans to release two separate-but-unequal next-gen editions of '300' on July 31st. While both the Blu-ray and the HD DVD editions will feature a wealth of supplements, the HD DVD will boast several exclusive interactive and web-enabled features, including the ability to re-edit and share versions of the film via a studio-hosted server.

Now comes word that another web-enabled feature on the '300' HD DVD will enable Warner to sell film-related merchandise via a disc for the first time.

The studio demo'd the new feature last week at the Home Media Expo in Las Vegas as part of a larger session focused on the studio's push into interactive features on high-def disc.

According to an account by Video Business, consumers will be able to use their HD DVD player remote to type in their cell phone number, which will then be sent instructions for how to access '300'-themed wallpaper and ringtones for $1.99 each.

Considering the fact that the purchase takes place on the phone (and not the disc itself), this one seems like a bit of a cheat to us, but it does represent another step forward for web-enabled interactivity via high-def disc.

The HD DVD camp appears to angling to make web-enabled features the next battlefront in the high-def format wars. Pointing out that Blu-ray players "don’t have the consistency in their machines to be able to handle this," Universal Studios VP Ken Graffeo announced plans late last week to begin including web-enabled features in all Universal HD DVD releases, beginning in late August with 'Heroes: Season One'.

Source

Mouldingo · « **Reply #171 on:** Jul 25, 2007 at 07:48 AM »

Razor Digital Announces Blu-ray Support with Quartet of IMAX Classics

Indie distributor Razor Digital has announced it will throw its hat into the high-def ring this fall, exclusively supporting Blu-ray with an initial launch slate of four IMAX classics.

Arriving in stores November 13 will be a quartet of IMAX favorites: 'Africa: The Serengeti,' 'Alaska: Spirit of the Wild,' 'Australia: Land Beyond Time' and 'Antarctica: An Adventure of a Different Nature.'

Citing Blu-ray's larger installed hardware base for its exclusive support of the format, Razor Digital said they have no current plans to release on titles on HD DVD, although they didn't rule out the possibility.

"You have to respond to the marketplace," Mitch Perliss, Razor Digital EVP told Home Media Magazine. "We wanted to go worldwide (with the product), and we couldn't afford to do both (Blu-ray and HD DVD)."

Razor Digital has not yet released tech specs or supplemental details for its four IMAX launch titles, but we'll keep you posted.

Retail price will be a suggested $19.95 each.

In anticipation of full specs to come, we've added all four of Razor Digital's IMAX titles to our Blu-ray Release Schedule under November 13. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Source

pchin · « **Reply #172 on:** Jul 25, 2007 at 08:04 AM »

Warner Summons 'The Reaping' on Blu-ray, HD DVD (UPDATED)

UPDATE 07/23/07 (3:00pm ET): Since originally posting this article, Warner Home Video has confirmed to us that despite earlier information to the contrary, both next-gen editions of 'The Reaping' Blu-ray will include Dolby TrueHD tracks. (Thanks to Steve for the tip!)

Just in time for Halloween, Warner Home Video has announced it will bring horror-thriller 'The Reaping' to both next-gen formats this October.

Both next-gen versions are set to include Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround tracks, and the same batch of supplements, including four featurettes and a "Scary Story," read by the movie's pint-sized co-star AnnaSophia Robb.

Source

pchin · « **Reply #173 on:** Jul 25, 2007 at 08:06 AM »

Paramount Adds High-Res Audio to Blu-ray, HD DVD Menu

After eschewing high-resolution audio on its Blu-ray and HD DVD titles for over a year now, Paramount Home Entertainment has announced they will finally support the Dolby TrueHD and PCM formats on several upcoming next-gen releases.

Though Paramount's releases on both high-def formats have won praise for their generally high-quality transfers and for including most bonus features in full HD video, inexplicably they've not included high-res audio formats (such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS Master Lossless Audio and uncompressed PCM).

Full article

Mouldingo · « **Reply #174 on:** Jul 25, 2007 at 08:08 AM »

Bram Stoker's Dracula Announced

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that they will be bringing 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' to Blu-ray on October 2nd. Considered one of the best Dracula movies of all time, the feature will be presented in 1.85:1 1080p video and PCM audio. No extras have been announced at this time, though expect many, if not all, from the DVD to be ported over.

Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder and Anthony Hopkins star in director Francis Ford Coppola's visually stunning, passionately seductive version of the classic Dracula legend. In BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, Coppola returns to the original source of the Dracula myth, and from that gothic romance, he creates a modern masterpiece. Gary Oldman's metamorphosis as Dracula who grows from old to young, from man to beast is nothing short of amazing. Winona Ryder brings equal intensity to the role of a young beauty who becomes the object of Dracula's devastating desire. Anthony Hopkins co-stars as the famed doctor who dares to believe in Dracula, and then dares to confront him. Opulent, dazzling and utterly irresistible, this is Dracula as you've never seen him. And once you've seen BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, you'll never forget it.

Source

pchin · « **Reply #175 on:** Jul 25, 2007 at 08:12 AM »

Paramount Drops Curtain on 'Flashdance' Blu-ray, HD DVD

In a shuffling of its fall high-def slate, Paramount Home Entertainment has indefinitely postponed the planned October Blu-ray and HD DVD release of 'Flashdance.'

The blockbuster '80s musical -- which introduced the world to Jennifer Beals and ripped sweatshirts -- was originally announced for a simultaneous September 18 bow on both Blu-ray and HD DVD.

Full article

Mouldingo · « **Reply #176 on:** Jul 26, 2007 at 07:30 AM »

I heard some HD DVD guy here is finally going BD because of this....

FUNimation Jumps Into Blu-ray with 'Dragonball Z'

Top anime distributor FUNimation is jumping into Blu-ray, with the announcement of a 'Dragon Ball Z' double feature headed to high-def this November.

IGN broke the news of the upcoming announcement, which FUNimation is apparently planning to make later this week at this year's Comic-Con convention in San Diego, California.

Due in stores November 13, FUNimation's first Blu-ray release will be a Dragon Ball Z double feature, including the full-length features 'Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan' and 'Broly: Second Coming' on a single disc. Both are currently two of the top-selling titles in the Dragon Ball Z franchise.

"After seeing demos of each next generation platform, it was clear that the Blu-ray platform was ideal for FUNimation," Ward Thomas, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Operations at FUNimation Entertainment told IGN. "The capabilities of the Blu-ray technology allows our fans to enjoy their favorite FUNimation titles like never before."

Both features have been remastered in 1080p high-definition, and will include newly-remixed 5.1 surround tracks (exact audio formats have not yet been announced).

The disc will also include a featurette on the restoration, "Dragon Ball Z: A New Look," which is also presented in full 1080p video.

FUNimation has not yet announced pricing details for its 'Dragon Ball Z' double-header, but we'll keep you posted as final details are officially announced.

We've added a new listing for FUNimation's debut next-gen title to our Blu-ray Release Schedule, under November 13.

SOURCE

Mouldingo · « **Reply #177 on:** Jul 26, 2007 at 07:34 AM »

Warner Announces Quartet of Kubrick Classics for Blu-ray, HD DVD

Kubrick fans rejoice! After a year of waiting, Warner Home Video has finally announced the Blu-ray and HD DVD releases of a quartet of the director's most revered classics.

On October 23, Warner will debut remastered special editions of four Kubrick classics: '2001: A Space Odyssey,' 'A Clockwork Orange,' 'The Shining' and 'Eyes Wide Shut.'

The releases are set to debut simultaneously on Blu-ray, HD DVD and standard-def DVD, with each title available separately as a stand-alone release. Currently, the studio has not indicated whether the titles will also be bundled together as a box set collection.

Supplemental details for the four titles have also not yet been revealed, but tech specs on the next-gen versions will include 1080p video transfers and remixed Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio tracks on both the Blu-ray and HD DVD editions.

Retail price is $28.99 a piece for each Kubrick classic.

In anticipation of the full press release with final confirmed details, we've added listings for all four titles to both our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule, under October 23. Needless to say, stay tuned!

SOURCE

Mouldingo · « **Reply #178 on:** Jul 26, 2007 at 07:36 AM »

Amazon Offers Select Disney Blu-ray Discs at 46 Percent Off List

In the latest high-def disc sales promo, Amazon.com has lowered its prices on select Blu-ray discs by nearly fifty percent off the suggested retail price.

The list of 27 titles includes such favorites fans as 'Pearl Harbor,' 'Finding Neverland,' 'Chicago,' and 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.'

Prices on discs included in the promotion range from $16.49 to $21.49, representing a savings of up to 46%.

There's word yet on how long this Disney Blu-ray sale will run, but similar promotions have been offered on a limited time basis only, so this one's worth jumping on quickly.

(UPDATE: Apparently Amazon isn't the only online retailer offering Disney Blu-ray titles at a discount this week -- both Buy.com and DVDEmpire have their own Disney Blu-ray sales going on. Happy shopping!)

The complete list of discounted titles follows:
(click linked titles to buy from Amazon)

Annapolis $19.49 (44% off)
The Brothers Grimm $19.49 (44% off)
Casanova $19.49 (44% off)
Chicago $19.49 (44% off)
Chicken Little $19.49 (44% off)
Dark Water $19.49 (44% off)
Dinosaur $19.49 (44% off)
Eight Below $19.49 (44% off)
Enemy of the State $19.49 (44% off)
Finding Neverland $16.49 (45% off)
Flightplan $19.49 (44% off)
G.I. Jane $16.49 (45% off)
Glory Road $19.49 (44% off)
Goal! - The Dream Begins $19.49 (44% off)
Gone in 60 Seconds $19.49 (44% off)
The Great Raid $19.49 (44% off)
The Guardian $19.49 (44% off)
The Haunted Mansion $16.49 (45% off)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy $18.99 (46% off)
Incincible $21.49 (46% off)
Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back $16.49 (45% off)
King Arthur $16.49 (45% off)
Ladder 49 $19.49 (44% off)
Pearl Harbor $19.49 (44% off)
Reign of Fire $19.49 (44% off)
Sky High $19.49 (44% off)
The Wild $19.49 (44% off)

SOURCE

Mouldingo · « **Reply #179 on:** Jul 26, 2007 at 07:44 AM »

Caligula Revealed for Blu-ray

The Digital Bits is reporting that Image Entertainment is set to release the film 'Caligula' on Blu-ray later this year or early next, with other titles to be announced soon. If you don't know what 'Caligula' is, don't worry, most don't. The film was financed in part by Penthouse and goes into great detail of the reported sexual deviances of Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Germanicus.

No specs have been announced at this time, or what version of the film will be printed to disc. We'll keep you up to do date when we hear more.

source